Thesis (Ph. D.)--Open University. BLDSC no. DX175924.

This study examines the quality of forensic assessments conducted by mental health professionals to determine competency to stand trial. Data were collected from 68 cases involving Rule 11 proceedings in the Superior Court of the State of Arizona for Pima County from 1986 through 1989. Two raters independently evaluated the court order forms and rated each report on recommended assessment and reporting procedures. Percent agreement and Cohen's Kappa results revealed moderate to excellent inter-rater reliability. These results suggested that competency to stand trial assessments lacked basic information recommended by acknowledged experts and written Arizona Bar Association (A.B.A.) standards. Implications of these findings suggest the establishment of a multi-disciplinary panel to examine and evaluate the court order forms and utilization of assessment and reporting procedures in Competency to Stand Trial proceedings.

Objective This study aims to compare the outcome and psychiatric morbidity of the forensic mental observation referrals, in the two legally created groups of awaiting trial detainees – the ‘singles’ representing the minor violent and non-violent offenders versus the ‘panels’, representing the seriously violent offenders. Method A cross-sectional, retrospective record review of 200 cases, spanning from January 2010 to August 2010, of all individuals admitted to the Forensic unit of Sterkfontein Hospital, for 30 days psychiatric observation. The Pearson’s Chi squared test for categorical data was used to determine statistical significance. Results Of 110 ‘singles’ 49 (44.55%) were found fit for trial and 40 (40.4%) criminally responsible, whereas of the 90 ‘panel’ cases 60 (66.67%) were fit for trial and 57 (64.77%) were criminally responsible. (p = 0.002 and 0.001 respectively) Conclusion Those charged with seriously violent offences appear to be more likely to be found both fit and responsible, compared to those charged with less serious offences.

Forensic Entomology utilises arthropods in legal investigations that involve death, neglect and abuse of humans and animals and even civil cases like insurance claims. This study aimed to make general observations on the decomposition of a pig carcass (Sus scofa Linneaus) in relation to recorded temperatures of the carcass and the surrounding site during both summer and winter on the Gauteng Highveld. The study also aimed to identify the dominant blowfly species occurring in the region. Six species were identified: Calliphora vicina, Chrysomya marginalis, Ch. albiceps, Ch. chloropyga, Lucilia sericata and L. cuprina. The cephaloskeleton, anal spiracles and anterior spiracles were dissected from the first, second and third larval instars of the flies to isolate the key features currently used in morphological identifications. The ITS2 region was investigated for the development of a multiplex PCR method to identify these species. The multiplex PCR method did not include Chrysomya albiceps but does successfully differentiate between the other five commonly occurring blowflies.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Medicine in Part Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Medicine in Psychiatry at the University of the Witwatersrand / Ninety-one patients referred for observation were evaluated by means of a data sheet which covered demographic, forensic and psychiatric data, as well as special investigations performed during the admission period. A significant number of patients (P = 0,005) involved in crimes of theft were found to be psychotic. A significant number of patients (P = 0,(24) involved in murder/attempted murder/culpable homicide were found to be apsychotic. None of the special investigations had a significant bearing on the diagnosis or legal destiny of the patient. it is clear that we should have a high index of suspicion towards psychosis in those patients who were allegedly involved in crimes against property and in particular crimes of theft. Special investigations should only be performed where there is a clear clinical indication. This approach wiII save considerable time and money without compromising the assessment. / Andrew Chakane 2019

Degradation of DNA can lead to either poor quality, imbalanced, or even no profiles. Therefore, appropriate collection and storage methods are critical to minimize its impact. If the DNA is degraded prior to sample collection, then the degradation process can only be arrested and other methods have to be employed to try to improve the quality of the DNA profile. The major aims of this thesis were to assess alternative methods for molecular preservation of muscle tissue samples and to obtain better DNA profiles from degraded samples. Assessment of DNA degradation was undertaken using an in-house PCR assay which amplifies four amplicons from 70 bp to 384 bp. DNA degradation was evaluated in whole pig carcasses exposed to hot and humid environmental conditions. A full DNA profile could be generated for 24 hours, but some full profiles were obtained from samples taken as late as 72 hours. It was determined that when collecting tissue samples from partially decomposed bodies, those should be preferentially from the surface of the body in touch with the ground, as the results show that DNA persistence is improved. In order to compare field and laboratory degradation patterns, muscle tissue samples were incubated in the laboratory at 25 °C and 37 °C. The persistence of DNA was increased when compared to field, most likely due to the lack of insect activity and of variations in temperature and humidity. Partially degraded muscle samples were preserved with 96% ethanol, cell lysis solution, or cell lysis solution with 1% sodium azide, which had been stored at room temperature for seven years. Samples were re-extracted to assess the long-term efficacy of these storage solutions. The results show that ethanol and cell lysis solution with 1% sodium azide were successful in preserving DNA for this period. Fresh muscle tissue samples were stored at 25 °C and 37 °C for up to 42 days using vodka and 37.5% ethanol as preservatives. Complete amplification profiles were obtained up to the last time point from samples that had any preservative solution, while samples left untreated had dropouts after 14 days. It is recommended that the use of drinking ethanol should be considered in situations where the stock of absolute ethanol is limited. The possibility of using vacuum for preservation was tested on fresh muscle tissue samples incubated at 25 °C and 37 °C. The results show that even if there was a limited amount of air inside the storage bag, and not complete vacuum, DNA persistence was enhanced when compared to samples incubated at the same conditions in plastic tubes. Some approaches were attempted to improve degraded DNA profiles. First, degraded DNA was selectively extracted from agarose gels to manipulate the proportion of longer and smaller DNA fragments present. Despite promising preliminary results, this technique showed no usefulness in improving DNA profiles. Purification columns were used with the same aim, but when comparing the original sample with the processed samples, the best results obtained were of equivalence. As an alternative approach, a protocol of DNA Capture was developed in an attempt to preferentially extract the fragments to be analysed in a degraded DNA sample in equal amounts. Whilst the DNA capture method worked in preliminary experiments, it was not applied to degraded profiles. The results obtained have allowed recommendations around collection (i.e. how long samples could be viable for DNA analysis) and storage to be refined. Attempts to rebalance already degraded profiles were not successful. Future field experiments planned as a follow up to the work presented involve testing collection methods and the effectiveness of vacuum body bags.

Prison sexual violence is prevalent and impacts the witnesses to it. Previous literature has fully discussed the victims of prison sexual violence; however there remains an important gap in the current literature regarding the experiences of witnesses. The purpose of the present qualitative case study was to explore the lived experiences of witnesses to prison sexual violence. The theoretical foundation of this study was the self-categorization theory linked to the prison code of silence. Four ex-inmates answered semi structured interview questions. Transcripts were coded and themes developed. Five themes that emerged were exposure (to prison sexual violence), ineffective guards, avoidance (of witnessing prison sexual violence), distress, and violence. The themes of this study add more information to the literature regarding witnessing prison sexual violence by expanding information beyond aggression and violence. Recommendations from this research can assist prison administrators with assisting to break the prison code of silence; which would enhance social change.

The purpose of this research study was to empirically study the temporal order of events of postmortem changes in Missoula, Montana utilizing pig (Sus scrofa) cadavers as human proxies by documenting postmortem changes and rate of soft tissue decomposition of three pigs over the course of one year and 19 days. The data from this study will be compared and contrasted to studies that have occurred elsewhere. A full understanding of the postmortem changes and rate of soft tissue decomposition in this area will help forensic anthropologists better understand why the postmortem interval (PMI) may be different in western Montana than in other states or countries. The current research study reveals that previous methods for estimating the PMI using accumulated degree-days (ADD) and total body score (TBS) are not appropriate for Montana, as the climates are too disparate. Building a body of longitudinal data that documents environmentally related soft tissue decomposition or change will be a first step towards developing a decomposition sequence and time scheme that can be used to more accurately estimate the PMI in this region. In Montana a number of partially decomposed cases enter the medico-legal system each year. Thus, greater knowledge about the postmortem period will be a significant contribution to members of the medico-legal community as well as the criminal justice system. In addition, this data could be extended to similar climatic zones.

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a non‐invasive, geophysical tool used for the detection of clandestine graves. GPR operates by detecting density differences in soil by the transmission of high frequency electromagnetic (EM) waves from an antenna. A 500 Megahertz (MHz) frequency antenna is typically used for forensic investigations, as it provides a suitable compromise between depth of penetration and sub‐surface resolution. Domestic pig (Sus scrofa) carcasses were clothed in 100% cotton t‐shirts and 50% cotton/50% polyester briefs, and buried at a consistent depth at three field sites of contrasting soil texture (silty clay loam, fine sand and fine sandy loam) in southern Ontario. GPR was used to detect and monitor the graves for a period of 14 months post burial. Analysis of collected data revealed that GPR had applicability in the detection of clandestine graves containing remains in silty clay loam and fine sandy loam soils, but was not suitable for detection in fine sandy soil. Specifically, within a fine sandy loam soil, there is the potential to estimate the post burial interval (PBI), as hyperbolic grave response was well defined at the beginning of the 14 month burial duration, but became less distinctive near the completion of the study. Following the detection of a clandestine grave containing a carcass, collection of gravesoil, tissue and textile samples is important for the estimation of the stage of decomposition and the post burial interval (PBI) of the remains. Throughout the decomposition process of a carcass, adipose tissue is subjected to hydrolytic enzymes that convert triglycerides to their corresponding unsaturated, saturated and salts of fatty acids. The composition of fatty acids in the decomposed tissue will vary with the post mortem period, but it is unknown what affect the soil texture has on lipid degradation. As decomposition proceeds, fatty acids can leach from the tissues into the surrounding burial environment. Fatty acid analysis of gravesoil, tissue and textile samples, exhumed at two, eleven and fourteen month post burial intervals, was conducted using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), attenuated total reflectance – Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Infrared (IR) spectroscopy analysis of the samples provided a qualitative profile of lipid degradation. Analysis of gravesoil samples did not reveal IR spectroscopy bands attributable to fatty acid degradation or adipocere formation. IR spectroscopy analysis of tissue samples is applicable for the estimation of carcass decomposition in all of the soil textures tested. Results of textile IR spectroscopy analysis revealed limited potential to estimate the stage of carcass decomposition in silty clay loam soil. GC‐MS was used to quantify the peak area ratio (area/int std area) (PAR) of myristic (C14:0), palmitic (C16:0), palmitoleic (C16:1), stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1) acids. GC‐MS results revealed that analysis of both tissue and textile samples can be useful in the estimation of the stage of decomposition and the PBI of carcasses in all three of the soil textures tested. The results of this research may have applicability within forensic investigations involving decomposing bodies by aiding in the location of clandestine graves in silty clay loam and fine sandy loam soil through the use of GPR. Infrared spectroscopy and GC‐MS analysis of the fatty acid composition of tissue and textile samples may also be incorporated into investigational protocols to aid in the estimation of the stage of decomposition and the PBI of a body. / UOIT

Macro and micro nutrients